NORTHWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY College of Education & Human Development To: Prospective Alternate Certification Students From: Dr. Vickie S. Gentry, Dean of Education & Human Development Ms. Ramona Wynder, Coordinator of Alternate Certification Re: Alternate Certification Thank you for your interest in Northwestern State University’s Alternate Certification programs. We are recruiting outstanding individuals who want to make a difference in the lives of our children, and our goal is to prepare you to be successful. We have included a packet of information for you, including the guidelines for applying to our alternate certification program as well as completion of a Louisiana teacher certification program. APPLICATION PROCESS: 1. Complete the College of Education and Human Development (COEHD) application for admission to an alternate certification program. Return this application and the attached Louisiana Department of Education Professional Conduct Form to the NSU Office of Teacher Certification, with a resume and official transcripts from all colleges attended as well as PRAXIS scores (if you have taken those tests). 2. Complete a Graduate School application (available at: www.nsula.edu/graduate studies/). All students who are admitted to an Alternate Certification program must also be admitted to the Graduate School. For Graduate School information, please call 1-800-232-9892. 3. Register for and present passing scores on the following examinations: a. PRAXIS CORE tests (Reading, Writing, and Mathematics). Effective September 1, 2014, PRAXIS CORE ACADEMIC SKILLS FOR EDUCATORS Reading (5712), Writing (5722), and Mathematics (5732) tests are required. Passing scores on PRAXIS I PPST are accepted, if earned prior to September 1, 2014. (If you have an earned Master’s degree, an ACT composite score of at least 22, or an SAT combined verbal and math score of at least 1030, the PRAXIS I exam is not required.) b. PRAXIS II Content/Subject Area exam in your certification area. (Information regarding PRAXIS tests required by the state of Louisiana is available on the last pages of this document.) c. GRE (Graduate Record Examination) scores of at least 280-281 (new scoring) or 750 (old scoring) (Verbal/Quantitative). NOTE: The GRE is not required for the Practitioner Teacher Program (PREP). GRE registration information may be found at www.gre.org/splash.html. Once again, we thank you for your dedication to raising student achievement and encourage you to apply to one of our alternate certification programs. If you have any questions, please call the Coordinator of Alternate Certification, Ramona Wynder at 318-357-4058 or wynderr@nsula.edu. Further information is available at: http://dtl.nsula.edu. Updated 01/08/15 NORTHWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY Alternate Certification Programs Persons wishing to earn Louisiana teacher certification through an Alternate Certification program may choose one of the following graduate programs. (Students must meet Graduate School admission requirements for all programs.) 1, Practitioner Teacher Program (PREP) (21 hours) (with Master’s degree option): Elementary 15; Middle 4-8; Secondary 6-12. Cohorts in this online program begin studies in the summer and enroll in an Internship in Teaching and Seminar during the following fall and spring semesters. This initial certification program requires 21 hours of graduate courses. Candidates must have the written guarantee of a teaching position in their certification area/grade level for the school year immediately following summer classes in order to be admitted to the Fall Internship. (12 hours of the PREP credits may apply toward a Master of Education degree.) 2. Professional Studies – Master of Arts in Teaching (PS-MAT): (33-39 graduate hours) This is an online Master’s degree program which offers certification in: PK-3; Elementary 1-5; Middle 4-8; Secondary 6-12; Integrated Regular & Mild/Moderate Special Education 1-5, 4-8, or 6-12. 3. Non-Master’s Alternate Certification (501): Music Education K-12. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL PROGRAMS: 1. A baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited university; 2. Have a 2.5 overall GPA or higher. Effective August 1, 2015, the overall GPA required for admission will increase to 2.6. Effective August 1, 2017, the overall GPA required for admission will increase to 2.8. 3. Passing scores on the PRAXIS CORE- Reading, Writing, Math. (PRAXIS I PPST will be accepted if passed prior to September 1, 2014.) (An earned Master’s degree, an ACT composite score of at least 22, or a SAT combined verbal and math score of at least 1030 will substitute for passing PPST scores.) 4. Passing scores on the PRAXIS II content/subject specific examinations in your teaching area/grade levela. Candidates for Grades PK-3: pass the Elementary Education: Content Knowledge exam; b. Candidates for Grades 1-5 (regular education and integrated regular & mild/moderate special education grades 1-5): pass the Elementary Education Content Knowledge exam); c. Candidates for Grades 4-8 (regular education and integrated regular & mild/moderate special education grades 4-8): pass a Middle School content/subject specialty exam (Choose from: Math; English Language Arts; Science; Social Studies); c. Candidates for Grades 6-12 (regular education and integrated regular & mild/moderate special education grades 6-12) and K-12 (Music): pass a PRAXIS content/subject exam for the content area in which you seek certification. Please refer to the Louisiana PRAXIS test chart at the end of this information packet. If no examination has been adopted for Louisiana in the certification area, candidates must present a minimum of 31 semester hours of coursework specific to the content area. 5. Minimum GRE score of 280-281 (new scoring) or 750 (old scoring) (Verbal & Quantitative) NOTE: The GRE is not required for the Practitioner Teacher Program (PREP). Certification requirements: Certification through any of these programs also requires a passing score on a PRAXIS Pedagogy test (Principles of Learning & Teaching for Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle, Secondary, and K-12 certification; and Special Education test for Mild/Moderate Special Education certification), a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.50 (on a 4.0 scale), and completion of an Internship. Students enrolled in the PS-MAT or non-Master’s programs must pass ALL required PRAXIS tests for their certification prior to enrolling in the Internship. PREP students take the Pedagogy tests during their Internship year. Please return the attached application form and indicate which program you wish to enter. If you are a Middle or Secondary Grades candidate, please note your teaching content (English, Math, etc.). Updated 9/11/2014 NORTHWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION TO AN ALTERNATE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM Name: Last First SSN: MI/Maiden Gender: Address (Street or P.O. Box): City: Telephone: State: Home Work Zip: Cell E-mail address Where did you earn your Bachelor’s degree? ___________________________ Graduation Date:__________________________ Do you have a Master’s degree? GPA _______________ If so, where did you earn it? PRAXIS If you have taken any of these tests, please provide your highest scores: PRAXIS CORE: Reading _________ Writing ________ Mathematics ________ OR PPST I: Reading Writing Mathematics (if passed prior to 9/1/14) PRAXIS II Content/Subject Area (s): test name/s _ score/s PRAXIS II PLT (not required for admission to an alternate certification program): GRE scores: NOTE: GRE is not required for the Practitioner Teacher Program. List all other colleges/universities that you have attended: Do you have teaching experience? School/Parish Grade/content area Will you have a teaching position for the next school year? School/Parish Grade/content area Have you ever been enrolled in another alternate certification program? (University or Private Provider) Updated 9/11/2014 Please indicate which Alternate Certification program you wish to enter: 1) Practitioner Teacher Program (PREP) with Master’s degree option** (online) ___ You must have the written guarantee of a teaching position in a public school prior to the first day of the next school year, a minimum 2.50 GPA***, and passing scores on PRAXIS CORE or PPST and Specialty Area test/s in your teaching area. Certification level/subject/grades (choose one): Regular Education: Elementary Grades 1-5 Middle Grades 4-8 subject/content* Secondary Grades 6-12 subject/content* (**12 hours of PREP credits may apply toward a Master of Education degree.) 2) Practitioner Teacher Program (PREP) – certification only (online) __ You must have the written guarantee of a teaching position in a public school prior to the first day of the next school year, a minimum 2.50 GPA***, and passing scores on PRAXIS CORE or PPST and Specialty Area test/s in your teaching area. Certification level/subject/grades (choose one): Regular Education: Elementary Grades 1-5 Middle Grades 4-8 subject/content* Secondary Grades 6-12 teaching subject/content* 3) Professional Studies Program Master of Arts in Teaching degree (online) You must have a minimum 2.50 GPA***, and passing scores on PRAXIS CORE or PPST and Specialty Area test/s in your teaching area. Certification level/subject/grades (choose one): a) Regular Education: Early Childhood Grades PK-3 Middle 4-8 subject/content* Elementary Grades 1-5 Secondary 6-12 subject/content* OR b) Integrated Regular & M/M Special Education: M/M SPED Grades 1-5_ M/M SPED Grades 4-8 subject/content* M/M SPED Grades 6-12 subject/content* *English, Math, Biology, Social Studies, etc. ***Effective August 1, 2015, the overall GPA required for admission will increase to 2.6. ***Effective August 1, 2017, the overall GPA required for admission will increase to 2.8. Updated 9/11/2014 4) Non-Master’s Alternate Certification (501) Instrumental Music Signature ; Vocal Music Date In order to apply for admission to one of NSU’s alternate certification programs, you must submit: 1) Application form; 2) PRAXIS scores; and 3) PREP students only – “letter of intent to employ” from your School Board to: Office of Teacher Certification College of Education & Human Development Northwestern State University Natchitoches LA 71497 4) Send the enclosed transcript request form to all universities attended (DO NOT FAX OR SEND COPIES OF TRANSCRIPTS). Or, you may have an electronic transcript from eScript sent to TEACHNORTHWESTERN. NOTE: Admission to an Alternate Certification Program is dependent upon eligibility for enrollment in NSU’s Graduate School. You must apply for admission to the Graduate School before registering for classes. Updated 9/11/2014 LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TEACHER CERTIFICATION AND HIGHER EDUCATION PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT IN INK PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT FORM (All questions must be answered) NAME OF APPLICANT: (Including, First, Middle, and Married) Social Security Number: ADDRESS: DATE OF BIRTH: - Please Check Each Question must be answered: YES NO 1. Have you ever had any professional license/certificate denied, suspended, revoked, or voluntarily surrendered? If YES, in what state?_ 2. Are you currently being reviewed or investigated for purposes of such action as stated in #1 or is such action pending? If YES, in what state?_ 3. Have you ever been convicted of any felony offense, been found guilty or entered a plea of nolo contendere (no contest), even if adjudication was withheld? If yes, please provide the following information: Specify the Offense: Date of Offense: State and Parish/County of Conviction: Judicial District of Court of Conviction: 4. Have you ever been convicted of a misdemeanor offense that involves any of the following: a) Sexual or physical abuse of a minor child or other illegal conduct with a minor child. b) The possession, use, or distribution of any illegal drug as defined by Louisiana or federal law. 5. Have you ever been granted a pardon or expungement for any offense as stated in #3 or #4? If you answered “YES” to any questions, #1 through #5, you must provide court certified copies of all documents and proceedings, civil records of Federal, State and/or District School Board actions, or other relevant documents that provide full disclosure of the nature and circumstances of EACH separate incident in your application packet. I affirm and declare that all information given by me in the responses to items #1 through #5 above is true, and correct, and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that any misrepresentation of facts, by omission or addition, may result in criminal prosecution and/or the denial or revocation of my teacher certificate. SIGNATURE OF APPLICANT: DATE: Updated 9/11/2014 NORTHWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY PRACTITIONER TEACHER PROGRAM (PREP) The Practitioner Teacher Program (PREP) is Louisiana's "fast track" route to teacher certification. Northwestern offers PREP online. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS: 1. Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university with a 2.50 minimum GPA (on a 4.0 scale). Effective August 1, 2015, the overall GPA required for admission will increase to 2.6. Effective August 1, 2017, the overall GPA required for admission will increase to 2.8. 2. 3. 4. Passing scores on PRAXIS CORE or PPST Reading, Writing, and Math tests; (CORE/PPST is waived for persons who have an earned Master’s degree, or an ACT composite score of at least 22, or a SAT combined verbal and math score of at least 1030.) Passing score/s on PRAXIS II Subject/Content test for your teaching area/grade level. Prior to the first day of the Fall Internship semester, a letter of intent to employ from a public school district which guarantees a teaching position in your certification area for the school year following enrollment in PREP courses. SUMMER: Enroll in 9 hours of online graduate courses during the summer school session. Upon successful completion of these courses (with a minimum grade of “C”), you will receive a Practitioner License 1. FALL and SPRING: 1. 2. 3. Enroll in an Internship in a Louisiana public school in the Fall and Spring semesters immediately following the summer coursework. (This is your teaching position.) Enroll concurrently in an online seminar course in Fall and Spring. Pass the remaining PRAXIS II test/s required for your certification. Upon successful completion of all courses, Internship, and PRAXIS requirements, you will be eligible for a Level 1 Teaching Certificate. Otherwise, your practitioner license can be renewed twice. Master of Education degree: Twelve hours of PREP credits may apply toward a Master of Education degree. For further information, contact Dr. Kimberly McAlister, Teaching and Learning Department (mcalisterk@nsula.edu). A passing GRE score: minimum 280-281 (new scoring) or 750 (old scoring) Verbal/Quantitative must be submitted to the Graduate School office for admission to the M.ED. program. For further information, please contact the Coordinator of Alternate Certification, Ramona Wynder at 318-357-4058 or wynderr@nsula.edu. Updated 9/11/2014 NORTHWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY PROFESSIONAL STUDIES MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING DEGREE PS-MAT This is a traditional master’s degree which is offered online and leads to teacher certification in Louisiana. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS: 1. Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university with a 2.50 minimum GPA (on a 4.0 scale). Effective August 1, 2015, the overall GPA required for admission will increase to 2.6. Effective August 1, 2017, the overall GPA required for admission will increase to 2.8. 2. 3. 4. Passing scores on PRAXIS CORE or PPST Reading, Writing, and Math tests. (PRAXIS CORE/PPST are waived for persons who have an earned Master’s degree, or an ACT composite score of at least 22, or a SAT combined verbal and math score of at least 1030.) Passing score on PRAXIS II Subject/Content test for your teaching area/grade level. Graduate Record Exam (GRE) – minimum combined verbal and quantitative – 280-281 (new scoring) or 750 (old scoring). ENROLLMENT: Eligible candidates receive a “Prescription of Study” and course rotation, and may begin coursework either in Fall, Spring, or Summer semesters. You will be assigned an academic advisor who will assist with scheduling the required courses. Once admitted to the PS-MAT program, you are eligible for employment by a public school district in Louisiana and may teach on a Practitioner License 3 for a total of 4 years, if yearly renewal requirements are met. INTERNSHIP IN TEACHING: Upon completion of all coursework, and successfully passing the PRAXIS II Pedagogy tests, you will enroll in a one-year Internship in Teaching. This is your teaching position in your certification area. The Internship MUST be completed in a public school in Louisiana. Upon successful completion of all courses, Internship, and PRAXIS requirements, you will be eligible for a Level 1 Teaching Certificate. Updated 9/11/2014 NORTHWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY Non-Master’s Alternate Certification Program in Music Education This program leads to Louisiana teacher certification in Music Education Grades K-12. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS: 1. Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university with a 2.50 minimum GPA (on a 4.0 scale). Effective August 1, 2015, the overall GPA required for admission will increase to 2.6. Effective August 1, 2017, the overall GPA required for admission will increase to 2.8. 2. Passing scores on PRAXIS CORE or PPST Reading, Writing, and Math tests. (PRAXIS CORE/PPST are waived for persons who have an earned Master’s degree, or an ACT composite score of at least 22, or a SAT combined verbal and math score of at least 1030.) 3. Passing score/s on PRAXIS II Music Content test for your teaching area/grade level. 4. Graduate Record Exam (GRE) – minimum combined verbal and quantitative – 280-281 (new scoring) or 750 (old scoring). ENROLLMENT: Eligible candidates receive a “Prescription of Study”, and may begin coursework either in Fall, Spring, or Summer semesters. You will be assigned an academic advisor who will assist with scheduling the required courses. Once admitted to the PS-MAT program, you are eligible for employment by a public school district in Louisiana and may teach on a Practitioner License 2 for a total of 3 years, if yearly renewal requirements are met. INTERNSHIP IN TEACHING: Upon completion of all coursework, and successfully passing the PRAXIS II Pedagogy tests, you will enroll in a one-year Internship in Teaching. This is your teaching position in your certification area. The Internship MUST be completed in a public school in Louisiana. Upon successful completion of all courses, Internship, and PRAXIS requirements, you will be eligible for a Level 1 Teaching Certificate. Updated 9/11/2014 PRAXIS and GRE Information The list of current PRAXIS CORE and PRAXIS II TESTS required for program admission and certification may be found at: https://www.teachlouisiana.net/teachers.aspx?PageID=5605. PRAXIS CORE: READING, WRITING, and MATH tests. (Note: An earned Master’s degree, an ACT composite score of at least 22, or an SAT combined verbal and math score of at least 1030 will substitute for passing PPST/CORE scores. PRAXIS I PPST Reading, Writing, and Math scores are accepted if passed prior to 9/1/14.) PRAXIS II Subject/Content test: A passing score on the test in your teaching content area and/or grade level is required for admission to all Alternate Certification programs. PRAXIS II Pedagogy test: A passing score on the Principles of Learning and Teaching test appropriate to the certification level (AND the Special Education test for Mild/Moderate Special Education candidates) is required for admission to Internship for MAT and Non-Masters candidates, and for certification for PREP students. PRAXIS II Reading test: A passing score on the PRAXIS II Reading test (0204) is required for Level 1 certification for Elementary 1-5 Practitioner Teacher candidates. Scheduling PRAXIS and GRE tests: Register through the ETS website: www.ets.org. Natchitoches testing site: Northwestern State University, Kyser Hall Room 401G, ph: 318-357-5246 Alexandria testing site: LSUA, 191 Middleton Dr., Alexandria LA, ph: 318-767-3972 Bossier City testing site: Prometric Testing Center 4350 Viking Dr., Bossier City LA, ph: 318-742-7349 GRE: Graduate Record Examination – a minimum score of 280-281 (new scoring) or 750 (old scoring) Verbal and Quantitative are required for enrollment in any alternate certification program. (The NSU Graduate School allows one (1) semester of enrollment without the required GRE scores.) GRE registration: www.ets.org/gre ********************************************************************** When registering for PRAXIS and GRE tests, please: 1) List NSU (code 6492) and the Louisiana Department of Education (code 7330) as score recipients; 2) Be sure to put your SSN on your PRAXIS registration form/s so you will be “matched” at the Louisiana Department of Education. Updated 9/11/2014 TRANSCRIPT REQUEST FORM PLEASE MAIL DIRECTLY TO YOUR REGISTRAR’S OFFICE Date: To: Registrar University Address Please send an official copy of my transcript to: Office of Teacher Certification College of Education & Human Development Northwestern State University Natchitoches LA 71497 I attended your university under the name . Social Security number . Date of Birth Attendance dates . Undergraduate . Graduate Transcripts should be sent after final grades are recorded. I have enclosed $ to cover the cost of the transcript. Signature Address City State Zip NOTE: Most colleges/universities require advance payment for transcripts. You should contact them for the cost and attach payment to this transcript request. Official transcripts are required from EACH institution attended, regardless of whether the credits appear on another school’s transcript. Updated 9/11/2014 PRAXIS Study App www.quizlet.com/mobile Quizlet Flashcard App. PRAXIS Study Resources On-Line www.ets.org These are the folks that “own” the test, so they will be glad to sell you study guides or workshops. Very valuable site to get an overview of the test content and procedure, but try not to spend any money on study stuff. This is also where you find information about the test schedule and location, and you can register to take the test(s) on this website. www.testprepreview.com Click on the “PRAXIS Practice” link on the left side of the screen. You’ll get some free subject-area assessments and a link to sell you some study materials (of course). http://owl.english.purdue.edu/ Excellent link for grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, etc. http://www.learnatest.com/learningexpresslibrary Excellent source of interactive practice tests. Exceptional variety of test materials. Sign up for a free account, select your test, and work at your own pace. Save your work and come back later if you choose. http://www.praxis2studynotes.com This website offers summaries of study notes compiled by actual test takers. They charge a fee for each set of notes, but you get immediate access via email and download. NEW!!! Website links to “released” standardized tests. Great practice tests!!! http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sr/css05rtq.asp http://educationportal.com/academy/subject/praxis.html?hq_e=el&hq_m=1627485&hq_l=2&hq_v=9777a08eaa Great videos with quizzes to help you prepare for Praxis Core & II. There are other online resources; Google “PRAXIS help” for the links. Updated 9/11/2014 Northwestern State University College of Education & Human Development Alternate Certification Program Where do I go from here? Complete and submit the alternate certification program application for admission to the Office of Teacher Certification. (http://dtl.nsula.edu/welcome-2/) Apply for admission to the NSU Graduate School. (www.nsula.edu/graduatestudies/) Complete and send the transcript request form found in the admission packet to all universities attended. Or, you may have an electronic transcript (E-script) sent to TEACHNorthwestern. Register for and take PRAXIS CORE Reading, Writing, and Math. Remember: The Praxis CORE exams are not required if you have earned a Master’s degree, have an ACT composite score of at least 22, or an SAT combined verbal and math score of at least 1030. Register for and take PRAXIS II Subject/Content Specific test. Register for and take GRE. (Not required for PREP.) Remember: You must earn a combined verbal and quantitative score of 280-281 (new scoring) or 750 (old scoring). Mailing Address: Office of Teacher Certification Gallaspy College of Education & Human Development Northwestern State University Natchitoches, LA 71497 Updated 9/11/14